“Time change 2024: the date is imminent, how do we switch to winter time ?”
What is the date of the time change in October 2024 ? At what time does the switch take place ? Here's what you need to know to understand everything about the switch to daylight saving time 'winter.
The time change is coming! The last days of October are always associated with this important moment of the year when the country switches to winter time. France has made this switch twice a year since 1976, which is to say that the French are used to the time change and that it has now become a ritual.
The time change carried out in October allows the French to switch to winter time, marking the start of the coolest and darkest days of the year in France. And it is imminent now because it is this weekend that the time change occurs.
The time change was introduced in France in 1976, following the oil crisis. The aim was to save energy by making the most of daylight. The idea was simple: by moving the clocks forward one hour at the start of spring, the need for lighting in the evening was reduced. This system was then harmonised at European level in the 1990s, in order to facilitate exchanges between Member States.
The next time change will take place on Sunday, October 27, 2024: on this date, France will switch to winter time along with all the countries of the European Union.
With the evolution of energy consumption patterns and the new needs linked to an ever-increasing number of electrical appliances, the savings made thanks to the time change have become negligible. While the European Union has taken steps to end the time change, the end of the measure, although often mentioned, is not expected to happen quickly. The switch to summer time at the end of March and the change to winter time in October continue and are expected to occur for several more years.
The change to standard time, with an hour of sleep “gained”, is often perceived as gentler than the change to summer time. It allows our bodies to return to a more natural rhythm, where sunrise coincides more with waking up. Studies have shown that standard time is closer to the internal biological clock of most people, which can contribute to better quality sleep and a more restful rest.
During the winter, days are shorter, and the time change allows for more natural light in the morning. Light plays a key role in regulating our mood and well-being. Exposure to natural light early in the day can help alleviate symptoms of the “winter blues” or seasonal affective disorder, a condition that affects many people during the darker months.
It is at 3 a.m. to be precise, Sunday, October 27, that we change the clocks. At 3 a.m., we turn the clocks back one hour to go back 2 hours. This means that that night, we gain an extra hour of sleep. Why 3:00 a.m. ?: The changeover takes place at this late hour to minimize disruptions to daily life, particularly to transportation and work activities. This is a time when few people are active, which limits inconveniences.
Most electronic devices (smartphones, computers, TVs) update automatically using the internet clock. However, for mechanical clocks or watches, you have to think about adjust them manually.
To allow everyone to find their way around before and after the summer time change, we have integrated this module into our page from the specialized site WebHorloge.fr, which displays Paris time live. This clock displays the exact time, taking into account time changes.
The change between winter and summer time as we know it today was introduced by decree in 1975, following the oil crisis. It then involved introducing a summer time at GMT+2, i.e. a two-hour time difference with natural time, from the following March. Objective: to better coordinate natural lighting and human activities from spring onwards, to achieve energy savings.
The end of March is then chosen to coincide with the spring equinox, synonymous with the return of fine weather and longer days. The return to “normal” time (evening GMT+1) is logically set in reverse to the approach of the autumn equinox, i.e. at the end of October. The weekend and in particular the night from Saturday to Sunday will quickly appear as the time when the immediate impact of the time change will be the most limited.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000The seasonal time change was initiated by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), as the government agency responsible for ensuring optimizing the energy bill. In a 2010 summary, the organization still estimated the savings made the previous year at 440 GWh thanks to the time change.
The time change has been harmonized with European scale since 1998 and is now applied by all EU Member States and 70 countries in total. However, it has been highly controversial for years. Its detractors point above all to energy gains that are too limited, especially with the evolution of technologies and uses, as well as negative effects on health, sleep and safety. road.
No, the winter time change is not the last. In March 2019, after consultation, the European Parliament adopted a draft by a majority to end the time change, but it will not be implemented for several years. The draft directive provided for the elimination of the rapid time change: to do so, each Member State had to decide between remaining at winter time or stay on summer time.
The European Parliament had also called for coordination between the Member States and the European Commission so that the application of permanent hours (winter and summer) in the different countries does not disrupt the functioning of the internal market.
The directive was to be adopted by the Council at the end of 2020, then transposed by the Member States, underlines the official Vie Publique website. However, due to the health crisis linked to Covid-19, Brexit, then the upheavals caused by the war in Ukraine, not to mention the hesitations of European leaders, the text in question on the end of the time change is no longer on the agenda “and should not be discussed in the near future”, concludes the French administration website. And once put back on the table, the debates are expected to be long: “It is up to each Member State to decide on the legal time it wishes to adopt”, the European Commission confirmed to Euronews in autumn 2022.
While the majority of French people have expressed their weariness with the time change and their desire to put an end to it, the debate on the time zone to adopt remains open. According to the consultation conducted by the National Assembly in 2019, 59% of respondents expressed their preference for permanent summer time, which would allow them to enjoy longer bright evenings. However, some health experts Public health experts warn against this option, arguing that permanent daylight saving time could disrupt sleep cycles and have health consequences.
Health and biological rhythms professionals emphasize the importance of morning light in regulating the human body. By choosing daylight saving time permanent, France could see an increase in disorders related to the lack of morning light, which could impact concentration, mood, and even productivity.
The system of changing daylight saving time, the aim of which is to save energy, is very widespread in the countries of the northern hemisphere, but could be phased out in the coming years. The main reason is the harmful effects on our health. In total, around 70 countries around the world apply the time change. The United States, Canada, part of Australia, Brazil and Morocco still practice the switch to summer time today.
More infographics can be found on Statista
As stated on the official website of the European Council, “Member States have the option of choosing the time zone in which they wish to be located”. Today, there are three. The first concerns Western Europe with Ireland and Portugal. The second, Central Europe, which includes no fewer than 17 states. Finally, Eastern Europe, composed of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania.
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